Pati Jinich is host of the popular Emmy and James Beard nominated PBS series Pati's Mexican Table, author of two cookbooks, and resident chef at the Mexican Cultural Institute in Washington, DC. This is her official website where she shares recipes from her show and new recipes in her blog, plus upcoming events, recent news, and more.

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Guajillo Chile

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Guajillo Chile

The Guajillo chile is one of the most commonly used Mexican dried chiles, and it is now widely available in the United States. It is long and pointy, with a beautiful maroon color. Its skin is quite smooth and shinny on the outside, but it is hard and tougher and less pliable than others, like the Ancho.

It has a pleasant and deep flavor, with mild heat. It tends to be a crowd pleaser.
In the north of Mexico, it is called Rattle chile or Cascabel because it resembles the tail of a rattlesnake and it makes the sound of a rattle as you shake it. But, there is another chile of an entirely different variety that goes by the name Cascabel. It is used in many ways, such as to prepare table sauces, to season stews, moles and soups, to make adobos and rubs too.

Usually, to use the chile, you need to remove the stem, seeds and veins. Toast the chile in a comal or skillet for about 10 to 15 seconds per side, until it turns brownish and opaque. Just be careful not to burn it or it will taste bitter. Then in most cases, it is either ground or simmered and pureed or mashed along with other ingredients.

Love the show (how can you not). I saved one of your chili recipes that you used a guajillo chili sauce that was so complex with organic unsweetened cacao powder and cinnamon. The recipe was part of an interview you did with a blog in DC. I saved it as a favorite, as it clearly was the best chili recipe I have ever had. now the link is dead and so is my heart, as my attempts to replicate from memory have failed miserably. Please help!

Hmmm…the quality or age of the nopales could be the problem. Were they fresh and tender? You shouldn’t have to rehydrate them or the guajillos, as they should all rehydrate in the pan with the lime juice and oil as you cook.

I just watched your show – Girls Just Wanna Have Fun and you make what I thought was an Ancho Chile Relish. You said it is a staple that you keep in your icebox every day … in a ball jar! I have looked all over for the recipe – could you help me?

Hi Pati, in the event of accidently making a bitter sauce with the chiles. What is the best technique to try to doctor the sauce or at least lessen the bitterness? I almost always do this. Thanks for showing us these great recipes.

Hi Kachine,
Try not to burn the chiles when and if you toast them! What you can do is make more sauce without the chiles and mix it with the former batch. But if it turns out too bitter, best bet is to make a new batch…

Hi BoomBoom,
The ancho chile really works best for making chilorios. It has a distinct bittersweet flavor and mild spice that complements that recipe well. And since dried chiles have such different flavors, it can be difficult to substitute them. You can find them in most supermarkets now or online. Here is a link to more information on ancho chiles:http://patijinich.com/2009/03/ancho-chile.html
Pati